Cat

Discussion

FROM THE BARNES FOUNDATION’S CATALOG

The art critic Carl Van Vechten, a friend of Dr. Barnes, once described the challenge of portraying cats: "The beauty of the cat is very deceptive, for under the grace of the furry exterior lie steel-like muscles, [and its] face bears a character of both finesse and hilarity." Few cat portraitists, Van Vechten lamented, "can go beyond externals." Arguably, one of them was the unidentified Pennsylvania German artist who rendered this proud gray-and-orange calico. And she is well placed on this wall, because Paul Klee—several of whose works hang nearby—was a great admirer of cats.

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